“D.J. brings a wealth of experience to our backcourt and will provide us with depth at guard,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “D.J.’s proven to be a prolific shooter and an excellent ballhandler throughout his career and we’re thrilled to have him in Milwaukee.”
More on DJ Augustin Free Agency
Bobby Marks: Cap update on Milwaukee Part of the ML used on DJ Augustin Biannual on Bobby Portis $4M below the luxury tax $6M below the hard cap 11 players under contract
Shams Charania: Free agent guard DJ Augustin has agreed to a three-year, $21M deal with Milwaukee, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Analysis: Given Augustin’s age, he may have reached a point where prospective suitors, even the Magic, may be reluctant to offer him a contract that is guaranteed for more than one year. If Augustin signs elsewhere, it would be difficult for the Magic to make up for the loss of his outside shooting; the team would have to find someone either through a signing or through a trade. Augustin has said often that he and his family love Orlando. At the same time, there should be some playoff teams that would want to upgrade their shooting off the bench and add a playoff-tested veteran who protects the ball as well as Augustin does. Odds he returns: 50 percent
A free agent each of the past four offseasons and with a family that’s about to welcome a third child, D.J. Augustin sought a NBA home this summer where he could plant some roots and establish some continuity in his well-traveled NBA career. With the Orlando Magic, Augustin got the long-term security that he wanted and he’s in a role where he will be looked to to provide depth, playing-making and long-range shooting from the back-up point guard position.
Chris Broussard: D.J. Augustin's deal with Orlando is for 4 years, $29 million, sources say
Free-agent guard D.J. Augustin has agreed to a four-year deal with the Orlando Magic, a league source told The Vertical. Augustin, 28, has established himself as one of the best backup point guards in the league, a player who can handle stretches as a starter.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent guard DJ Augustin has reached agreement on a deal with Orlando, league source tells @TheVertical.
Augustin was a little turnover-happy at times, coughing up the ball 30 percent of the time in pick-and-roll and transition plays. His two most common turnovers were the bad-pass turnover and the lost ball turnover. His unfamiliarity with his new teammates contributed to many of the miscues, especially early on when Augustin didn't know the plays. Augustin is hoping to stay with the Nuggets. "Everybody in the NBA can play so as long as you can get the opportunity and minutes," Augustin said.
Forgive D.J. Augustin if he doesn’t exactly jump for joy each time he hears a team say its interested in retaining his services. He’s been there before. Many times before. “This is my fourth summer being a free agent,” Augustin told The Post. “You never know what can happen. I’ve been promised things in the past, and it didn’t come true. I’ve had my hopes up in the past and it things didn’t happen.”
“It’s just all about putting things in God’s hands and my agent’s hands and I’m going to just relax,” Augustin said. “My wife is having our third child. So I’m going to just see what happens. Anything can happen. I love it here, and hopefully things work out.”
D.J. Augustin has always had a friend in Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant. Both are Longhorns. Augustin played alongside the long-limbed scorer in Austin back in 2006-07 and then added one more year at Texas after Durant bolted for the NBA following his wildly successful freshman season. Durant is not surprised Augustin has found a place he likes in Denver since the trade deadline day deal that brought him to the Mile High City. The two talk about it frequently. “I’m just happy he got his opportunity to play, that’s all he wanted,” said Durant prior to his team’s game at the Nuggets on Tuesday. “I talk to him all the time. He said he loves it (in Denver), the coach is trusting him. I remember coach (Michael) Malone calling him a security blanket or something like that, and in free agency a lot of people read things. You need that rap to get you the deal you want, I guess.”
"D.J.'s our security blanket," said coach Michael Malone. "He's won games for us. Put the ball into his hands in the fourth quarter and he steps up, makes shots, hits free throws and always makes the right play."
Augustin said he didn't ask the Thunder for a trade. He instead let his agent handle things. If the Nuggets want him back, Augustin said he would like to oblige. "I would love to be here," Augustin said. "It's a great city, great fans. I love the coaching staff and organization. Everything is great. So, I would love to find a home here."
In a contract year, Augustin is going a long way to prove he's worthy of a multiyear deal. And with the salary cap expected to make a huge leap this summer, those dollars could be bigger than might be expected. "It was big for the Thunder to trade me. I appreciate that, and for the Nuggets to give me the opportunity," he said.
On Feb. 18, he got that wish. That day, Augustin was traded to the Nuggets in a deal that sent Randy Foye to the Thunder. Since then, Augustin has taken full advantage of his new opportunity. And it couldn't have come at a better time, as Augustin is an unrestricted free agent at season's end. "It means a lot to me," Augustin said. "My situation in Oklahoma didn't work out. And just to be able to come here and get an opportunity, that's the biggest thing to me, to be back on the court."
